Bright and colorful even when not in bloom, golden foliage perennials add a touch of excitement to shady areas of the garden. Ornamental all year round, they are equally at home in beds, along pathways, under large shrubs or even near a pond. Small selection...
Hakonechloa macra
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' has linear foliage that falls in a rounded clump of 30 cm in all directions. Take advantage of its habit to create beautiful waterfalls in sloping areas of the garden, but be careful, only in the shade or in the middle of the shade in a cool soil. The banks of a stream or a pond can also be suitable. Hardy up to -15°C, this plant is suitable for the majority of the gardens. Its culture in pot on a terrace or a balcony is of course possible, but the watering will have to be then particularly supervised.
Heuchera
Heuchera 'Electric Lime' illuminates the borders of beds or alleys without equal. More tolerant than other heuchers, it can be planted in the sun in northern regions. Everywhere else, half-shade and even shade will suit it perfectly. In light, well-drained but cool soil, this evergreen perennial will grace you with its flashy yellow foliage in spring, turning aniseed with purple veins in fall. Pairing well with darker colored perennials such as Ophiopogon and other heathers, this hardy and easy to grow plant should find a place in any garden.
Agastache
Agastache 'Golden Jubilee' is an aromatic and honey-producing plant that will attract pollinating insects to your garden. This beautiful medium height (80 cm) perennial can be planted in full sun or part shade and works well in beds with other plants with which its golden foliage will contrast. It appreciates all types of soil as long as they are well drained and cool in summer. If you like it at home, it will reseed itself abundantly and form beautiful mats with lilac flowers from May to October.
Hosta
Hosta 'Rainbow's End' is an ideal subject to decorate a shaded area, at the foot of shrubs, at the edge of a grove or even in a bed where it forms 50 cm clumps in all directions. Its brilliant foliage provides a surprising contrast between the chartreuse yellow of the center and the aniseed green stripes that punctuate it. The lilac colored flowers appear in summer, adding to the charm of this plant. Hardy to -15°c, it is content with all types of soil remaining cool all year long.
Acorus gramineus
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' is a plant with tracing roots ideal to stabilize a bank of watercourse or pond. Its evergreen foliage, slender, linear and variegated with bright yellow, quickly forms a 30 cm clump in all directions.
This plant can be planted in mid-shade or in the sun, and it can be found in marshy areas or in soil that remains humid all year long.
Sedum reflexum
Sedum reflexum 'Yellow Cushion' does not exceed 15 cm in height but spreads nicely in dry or even rocky soil. Its golden foliage carried by tracer stems dresses up riprap, rock gardens, but also troughs and crevices in low stone walls with brio. Delicate, star-shaped flowers are appreciated by bees from June to the end of August. Very hardy for a fat plant (-15°C), this small sedum requires almost no maintenance and tolerates heat and drought perfectly.
Milium effusum
Milium effusum 'Aureum' is a grass forming little by little a clump with the falling port of 60 cm height for 30 of spread. The golden yellow linear leaves are even more luminous in spring and in the mid-shade which the plant particularly appreciates. This sumptuous millet finds its place in the massifs where it will be used as binder and will bring flexibility and color, but also in edges or in edge of water course because it appreciates the fresh and humus soils. Hardy to -15°C, it is suitable for most gardens.
Thymus citrodorus
Thymus citrodorus 'E.B. Anderson' is a small thyme with a 10 cm high spreading habit. As its name suggests, it gives off a sweet lemon fragrance when you brush against its golden foliage. Melliferous, its small pale mauve flowers attract pollinating insects in July and August. Planted in full sun, in all types of well-drained soils, this thyme is moderately hardy, it will be kept in pots in winter in regions where the temperature drops below -5°C.
Vinca minor
Vinca minor 'Illumination' is a small periwinkle (15 cm high) which spreads over almost a meter thanks to its creeping stems. It is a ground cover of choice in shady areas where it illuminates with its golden evergreen foliage bordered with a green edge. It is covered with pale blue flowers throughout the spring, which does not spoil anything! A fresh and humid soil will suit it perfectly. In a pot on a pillar, it will display a drooping habit to perfection!
Geranium
Geranium 'Blue Sunrise' is a multifunctional plant. In beds, rock gardens, flowerbeds or used as ground cover, it illuminates the area where it is installed with its ornamental and cut foliage. Very hardy, it likes most soils and requires very little maintenance to bloom in bright pink hues throughout the summer. It has a preference for shade or semi-shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil remains cool.
